Half a billion dollar roads package announced for Queensland

The Australian and Queensland governments have today announced a roads package worth more than half a billion dollars for Queensland.

The Package includes:

Six-laning of the Pacific Motorway (M1)—Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes

A major upgrade of the M1/Gateway Motorway merge (southbound lanes) at Eight Mile Plains

Construction of the Walkerston bypass near Mackay

Widening of the Mt Lindesay Highway between Browns Plains and Beaudesert

Funding for the planning of the M1—Varsity Lakes to Tugun.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government was pleased to have reached this outcome following constructive discussions with the Australian Government.

“Today we’ve announced more than half a billion dollars in funding for major road infrastructure projects in South East Queensland and Central Queensland which is great for Queensland jobs,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“We have reached an agreement and can now get on with the job of upgrading the M1. We’ve also committed to construction of the Walkerston Bypass, this will deliver benefits for the region and more jobs for Central Queensland.”

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said he was delighted that agreement had been reached on these five important projects.

“Although final project costs for the M1 will not be known until the end of April, we have reached an agreement that the Australian Government will keep our money on the table with the State picking up the balance,” Mr Chester said.

“The tender processes are expected to bring the cost down, so the final splits will not be known until then. The important thing is we have broken the impasse and will work together to deliver these important projects.”

Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey said early works on the M1 Gateway Merge project are expected to commence in November 2017 with major construction to begin following the Commonwealth Games.

“The M1—Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes project is anticipated to commence early works mid-2017 with major construction also to follow the Commonwealth Games,” Mr Bailey said.

“Construction for the $150 million Walkerston Bypass will begin following completion of the Mackay Ring Road Stage 1 project, extending the pipeline of local jobs in the Mackay region.

“The Queensland Government is also investing $5 million to progress the planning and business case development for the six-laning of the Pacific Motorway between Varsity Lakes and Tugun—the next highest priority upgrade on the southern end of motorway.”

Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said today’s announcement was a significant result for motorists in South East Queensland.

“Queenslanders want to see the roads they need get built as quickly as possible and are not interested in arcane disagreements between state and federal governments,” Mr Fletcher said.

“I am pleased that our two governments have been able to work constructively to agree our respective funding commitments—so we can get on with delivering these vitally needed upgrades.”